Happiness isn’t the goal
The Gray Area with Sean Illing
Confront the Evolutionary Burden
Human evolution has shaped our desires and cognitive biases, driving us towards constant accumulation and survival instincts. This evolutionary perspective highlights a conflict between our innate tendencies and the quest for happiness, prompting critiques of these biological impulses. Philosophical approaches like Buddhism and utilitarianism advocate for transcending these evolutionary drives, suggesting that our brains, equipped with the tools for happiness like dopamine and serotonin, often lead us towards dissatisfaction instead. Ultimately, we often feel like passive passengers in our own minds, struggling against an evolutionary system that does not align with our conscious intentions.
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